It all started when…

Hi there! Welcome to my site!

I’m a classically and jazz trained vocalist pursuing musical excellence since 1995. At age 5, I began my studies in piano, choral singing, guitar, theory and music history in my native city of St. Petersburg, Russia. 

In the Bay Area, I studied choral and solo voice with the SF Girls Chorus, and toured China and Korea. I went on to receive the Conducting Fellowship with SFGC's own Joe Fanvu in 2010. 

I have a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of California, Berkeley where I pursued jazz vocal training. I continued my studies in vocal improvisation and blues piano at the Jazz Conservatory in Berkeley and later completed the Kodaly Music Education Masters and Vocal Pedagogy Certificate at beautiful Holy Names University.

I ventured into the classroom through conducting Miracle Chorus with Oakland Youth Chorus in Richmond, Oakland and Alameda. I couldn’t get enough, and during the pandemic, joined the team of Albany educators virtually. Today, I teach TK-5 at Marin Elementary and 4&5 Musical Theater at Cornell and Ocean View.

Just recently, I returned to HNU to receive my Single Subject Music Credential so that I could continue bringing music and musical theater to Albany schools.

Now I'm looking to expand my student base and to get creative with in a one-on-one format.

Teaching Philosophy

Most importantly, I want my students to gain confidence in their instrument. This means high expectations, challenging just beyond their ability with engaging content and a rapport. Overtime this encourages the student to reach for challenges, be a part of picking their own repertoire, participate fully in their education. I provide challenges as options, first making them easily achievable then trickier as the student grows more confident in their own ability. I find repertoire that is both educational and uniquely fitted to my student's interests, personalities and abilities. Cookie-cutter, text-book music can be the downfall of piano lessons as well as singing lessons. Therefore my rapport with the student becomes one of the most important aspects of my teaching as it allows me insights into their personality and creates a comfort level from which I can challenge. 

Whether my students are learning to play piano, to vocalize or discovering music beginnings through games and song, above all this is for the purpose of expressing themselves, communicating on a different level. I teach improvisation, varying levels of dictation and composition to all my students. Not only does this spark their curiosity but it puts further exploration into their own hands. With my beginning singers this might mean, add-libbing a new verse to a familiar song or coming up with a new run to top off the piece while more advanced vocalists might want to scat a verse backed my chords alone or write an entirely new melody to a song they have been working with for a while. My intent is always to empower, encourage, and give support.

I make a point to ask for feedback and student or parent communication weekly via check-ins during class and monthly via email. Most students will receive a free trial when starting lessons with me to ensure that my teaching style and personality are a good fit for the student and vice versa. However, as the lessons progress, it is instrumental to continue checking in about practice routines, repertoire fit, any outside performance opportunities or auditions. For example, beginning piano, practice routines need to be adjusted until they work for the student and very often require parent supervision. I am here to learn from my students as much as they learn from me. 

Studio Policies

Scheduling

Lessons are scheduled a month ahead. Please let me know any known absences at this time so I may adjust my teaching schedule accordingly.

Absence/lateness

• Class time and day of the week will roll-over monthly. They may be change before the start of the month via email.

• In case of sickness or other emergency absence, please notify at least 24 hours before the lesson. Otherwise, you will be charged for that lesson.

• Any absence confirmed ahead of the 24 hour deadline can be rescheduled via Zoom within the current month or credited to the next month. MY ABSENCE will follow the same guideline.

• Please let me know if you’ll be late via text so I can plan accordingly. Understand that I will most likely not be able to end your lesson late to accommodate for the missed time. Consistent tardiness may mean a different lesson slot should be explored - check in with me via email about this!

Payment

STANDARD RATES:

$40 - 30 min

$70 - 60 min

• Payment is made monthly, before or on the FIRST LESSON of the month. I will accept Venmo, Paypal and checks. No cash is accepted for accounting purposes.

• I will send a schedule confirmation/invoice email at the END of each month for the FOLLOWING month. (ie at the end of April, you will receive an email with dates and payment confirmation for May. This payment should be made on or before your first May lesson).

• RATE CHANGES: Cost of living adjustments may be made every 1-2 years.

Supplies

Please check in with me for your particular class! Below is what you will likely need.

• lesson books or collections of pieces

• folder - for loose sheet music and theory assignments

• pencil

Useful items:

• metronome or metronome app

• music flash cards

• staff paper

Leaving the Studio

You have been accepted to the studio on an on-going basis (unless previously arranged otherwise). If you plan on leaving the studio, please notify me 1 month in advance so I may make final arrangements for your closing lessons and for my schedule. We will review your studies and accomplishments so far, and I will be happy to provide referrals or recommendations for further study.